Use this small business checklist to prepare for an exciting new year to come!
This can be an incredibly hectic time of year for small business owners! However, it is still important to take a moment to reflect on this past year as well as the year to come. Here is a quick checklist of thought points to consider before the end of the year
Are Your Employees Motivated?
When plotting your new year as a small business, a great place to start is by focusing on your workers. As a small business, your workforce could be as large as a few dozen employees, maybe some friends and family members, or as small as just yourself. No matter how large or small your workforce might be it’s vital to ensure that they stay motivated.
Small tokens of appreciation can often go a long way! Everything from thank you cards (with or without an included gift card) to unexpected treats and afternoons off can often go a long way toward keeping your staff motivated!
Are You Thinking About the Future?
Looking forward to business growth in the new year? Of course! Setting goals is a priority item your small business should complete by the end of this year. Begin by reviewing the current year's goals first. Make note of what you did or didn’t accomplish and why or why not. Then keep those notes handy while setting up next year’s goals.
An easy way to plan is by remembering the acronym SMART goals. This stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely!
• Specific- Define clear-cut goals that leave no wiggle room. Example: My restaurant will focus on providing takeout meals.
• Measurable- Use specific criteria to measure your progress toward a goal. Example: I will eliminate menu items that don’t travel well and focus on those that do.
• Achievable- Set goals that are within reach and attainable. Example: I will promote my business by producing custom postcards and social media posts to help increase takeout orders by 10 a week.
• Relevant- Make sure the goals make sense for you. Example: Focusing on takeout meals allows my business to stay afloat in the face of indoor dining restrictions.
• Timely- Set a deadline to meet your goals. Example: I will have the new menu ready within a month.
To keep these goals within reach, add them to a planning binder! Oftentimes, seeing a hardcopy print out or written out goals can make them seem more tangible!
Is Your Inventory in Order?
Taking inventory of everything in your company at year’s end is an important item for your checklist. It can be tedious, but it’s extremely valuable for cost savings and your bottom line.
From raw materials and finished goods to equipment, product packaging, and shipping materials, everything should be inventoried before yearend. Once you’ve taken inventory, make note of what is running low. Do you need more shipping boxes or shipping labels? What about packing materials, thank you cards, and loyalty cards to ship with orders? Now is a great time to restock your shelves with the essentials you need to run your business. Nothing is more frustrating than reaching for something that has run out and needs to be reordered.
Is Your Workspace Helping or Hindering Your Progress?
The best way to kick off the new year is with a clean, organized office and workspace. After the holidays you want to be able to come in and hit the ground running.
Do you label, package and ship your own products? Create a workspace that helps you get it done faster and more efficiently. Having a shipping station with all the things you need in one place will help prevent order errors and breakage!
Stock Up Now!
Need to stock up on your product labels or shipping labels for the new year? We have all the labels, cards and tags you need. Print them yourself or let us professionally print them for you to make the new year even easier for your small business.
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